Bell Municipal Code Ch. 6.04 County Animal Control Ordinance

A. Adoption. Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code, as adopted, is hereby adopted by reference in its entirety with the exception of Section 10.04.060 "Violation-Penalty," and made part of this chapter as though set forth in full. At least one copy of Title 10 as adopted shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk for public record and inspection.

In the event a conflict arises concerning the interpretation of the provisions of the Bell Municipal Code and Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code, unless specifically provided herein this Title 6, the language and provisions of the Los Angeles County Code shall take precedence.

B. Definitions. Wherever in the animal control ordinance the following words or phrases are used, they shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:

"County" or "County of Los Angeles"

means the City of Bell.

"County clerk"

means the city clerk of the City of Bell.

“Department”

means the city’s community services department.

“Director”

means the city manager and community services director of the City of Bell.

"Unincorporated territory"

shall be deemed to refer to the City of Bell.

C. Penalty. The violation of any provision of the animal control ordinance by any person shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both. Each day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of such animal control ordinance is committed or permitted shall be deemed to be a separate offense; provided that, in addition to, or in lieu of, criminal prosecutions for violations of such ordinance, the city council, at its option, may instruct and direct the city attorney to file an action to abate a public nuisance with reference to such violation. Any such violation of such ordinance shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be a public nuisance.

An administrative citation may be issued by an enforcement officer to any person or responsible person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter pursuant to Chapter 1.20 of the Bell City Municipal Code.

(Prior code § 3800; Ord. 1193 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1296, 12/10/2025)

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, no person shall keep, or maintain, on any lot, or in any building or structure, any animal, mammal, fish or fowl, for any purpose, except in strict conformity with the provisions of the Bell Zoning Code.

(Prior code § 3801)